47 Easy-to-Cook Indian Recipes - Quick & Delicious Dishes
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Time to read 10 min
Indian cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors, aromatic spices, and wholesome ingredients. But for many, recreating these dishes at home can feel intimidating. The good news? With easy Indian recipes, you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy authentic flavors. From crispy snacks and rich curries to comforting lentils and decadent desserts, we’ve rounded up 47 recipes that are simple, flavorful, and perfect for home cooking.
Top Easy-to-Cook Indian Dishes
Whether you’re cooking for family, hosting friends, or just want a taste of home, these recipes make it effortless to bring a little bit of India to your kitchen.
Appetizers & Snacks
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Samosa
Make a simple dough using flour, water, and oil. Roll it out and cut it in half. Shape each half into a cone, fill with a spicy potato and pea mixture, and seal the edges with water. Deep fry or bake until golden and crispy. Serve hot with green chutney or tamarind chutney for a perfect snack.
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Aloo Tikki (Potato Patties)
Boil and mash potatoes, then mix with finely chopped onions, green chilies, coriander, cumin, and garam masala. Shape the mixture into small patties and pan-fry until golden and crispy on both sides. Serve with tamarind chutney, green chutney, or stuff into a bun for a quick aloo tikki sandwich.
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Dahi Puri/Sev Puri
Take small, crisp puris and fill with boiled, spiced potatoes or chickpeas. Top with creamy yogurt, sprinkle with sev, and drizzle with green chutney and tamarind chutney. Garnish with coriander and chaat masala and serve immediately to enjoy crisp textures and a burst of flavors.
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Bhel Puri
This easy Indian food recipe is perfect for a light snack or parties. Mix puffed rice with finely chopped onions, tomatoes, boiled potatoes, coriander, and crunchy sev. Add tamarind chutney, lemon juice, and chaat masala, then toss gently. Serve immediately for a tangy, crunchy snack.
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Corn Chaat
Boil sweet corn until tender, then drain and toss with finely chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, coriander, chaat masala, and lemon juice. Serve warm or chilled, garnished with sev or pomegranate seeds. This snack is refreshing, tangy, and slightly spicy, perfect for any time of day.
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Kala Chana Chaat
Soak black chickpeas overnight and boil until tender. Mix with onions, tomatoes, green chilies, coriander, lemon juice, and chaat masala. Add boiled potatoes for extra substance if desired, and serve as a protein-packed snack or light meal.
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Paneer Tikka
Cut paneer into cubes and marinate with yogurt, red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, lemon juice, and ginger-garlic paste for at least 30 minutes. Grill or pan-fry until edges are slightly charred and smoky. Serve hot with green chutney or a yogurt dip as a starter or with rotis for a main course.
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Vada Pav
Boil and mash potatoes, then mix with mustard seeds, turmeric, chili powder, and coriander. Shape into small balls and deep fry until golden. Place each fried vada inside a sliced bun, spread green chutney and tamarind chutney in it, and serve immediately for a Mumbai-style street food experience at home.
Curries
Curries are a staple of Indian cuisine. Below is a list of 10 easy-to-cook Indian curry recipes to help you get started:
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Aloo Curry (Potato Curry)
To make this easy Indian recipe, peel and cube potatoes, then cook them with onions, tomatoes, cumin seeds, turmeric, and chili powder. Simmer until the potatoes are tender and the gravy thickens. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with rotis or rice for a comforting meal.
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Rajma (Kidney Bean Curry)
Soak kidney beans overnight, then boil until soft. Cook with onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, cumin, coriander, and garam masala. Simmer to a thick, flavorful gravy and serve with jeera rice or fresh rotis for a hearty, protein-packed meal.
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Paneer Butter Masala/Paneer Gravy
Cut paneer into cubes and cook with butter, onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, and mild spices. Add cream to create a smooth, rich gravy. Serve hot with soft rotis or naan.
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Chicken Korma
Made with chicken as the base and a creamy curry to balance the spice, this easy-to-cook Indian meal is a comfort dish for many. Start with marinating chicken pieces in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, and mild spices for at least 30 minutes. Cook with sautéed onions, cashew paste, and cream until the chicken is tender and the sauce is creamy. Garnish with coriander and serve with rice or rotis.
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Malai Kofta
Make koftas by combining mashed potatoes and paneer, shape into balls, and deep fry until golden. Prepare a smooth tomato-based gravy with cream and mild spices. Add the koftas to the gravy just before serving, and pair with rotis or rice for a rich, indulgent meal.
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Coconut Chicken Curry
Cook chicken pieces with onions, garlic, ginger, and mild spices. Add coconut milk and simmer until the chicken is tender and the curry is creamy. Garnish with curry leaves and serve with steamed rice for a tropical-flavored, easy Indian dish.
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Egg Curry
An Indian twist on everyone’s favorite-eggs-this simple dish is a must-try if you’re craving the warmth of your home but want to keep your nutrition intake in check. Boil eggs, peel them, and set aside. Prepare onion-tomato masala with turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala, then add eggs to the curry. Simmer briefly, garnish with coriander, and serve with rotis or rice.
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Vegetable Korma
Chop vegetables like carrots, beans, peas, and potatoes. Cook with onions, ginger-garlic paste, yogurt, and cream until tender and coated in a mildly spiced sauce. Serve hot with rotis or rice for a wholesome vegetarian dish.
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Palak Paneer
Blanch and puree fresh spinach, then cook with cubes of paneer, onions, garlic, and mild spices. Add a touch of cream for richness. Serve warm with rotis or naan for a healthy, flavorful curry.
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Methi Matar Malai
Cook fenugreek leaves and green peas with onions, garlic, and cream until tender. Add mild spices and simmer to allow flavors to meld. Serve with rotis or rice.
Lentils (Dals)
When talking about some of the easiest Indian dishes to make at home, dals definitely top the chart! Here are some recipes you can try:
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Red Lentil Dal (Masoor Dal)
Boil red lentils until soft. Cook with onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and chili powder. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with rotis or rice for a quick, comforting meal.
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Moong Dal Tadka
Moong dal is a comfort Indian dish that is easy to make. Adding tadka brings a burst of flavor and is the perfect way to end the day. Cook yellow moong dal until tender. Prepare a tadka with ghee, cumin seeds, garlic, and dried red chilies, then pour it over the cooked dal. Serve immediately with rotis or rice.
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Chana Dal Fry
Soak split chickpeas (chana dal) and boil until tender. Cook with onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, cumin, and garam masala. Finish with a tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves, and serve with rotis or rice.
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Dal Makhani
Soak black lentils overnight, then cook with onions, tomatoes, butter, and cream until rich and creamy. Season with cumin, garlic, and garam masala. Serve hot with naan or rotis for a decadent, rich meal.
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Mixed Lentils Khichdi
Make koftas by combining mashed potatoes and paneer, shape into balls, and deep fry until golden. Prepare a smooth tomato-based gravy with cream and mild spices. Add the koftas to the gravy just before serving, and pair with rotis or rice for a rich, indulgent meal.
Rice Dishes
Rice is a must to make any Indian meal wholesome and comforting. Here are seven easy-to-make Indian rice recipes:
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Vegetable Pulao
Cook basmati rice with whole spices like cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. Add chopped vegetables such as carrots, beans, and peas. Simmer until rice is fluffy and vegetables are tender, and serve hot.
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Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)
Heat ghee or oil and add cumin seeds until fragrant. Cook basmati rice with a pinch of salt. Fluff with a fork and serve with dals or curries for a simple, aromatic dish.
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Coconut Rice
Traditional rice gets a slightly sweet twist in this easy Indian dish, perfect for when you’re bored with plain white rice. Sauté grated coconut with curry leaves and green chilies. Add cooked rice and mix thoroughly. Serve warm with vegetable or chicken curries for a fragrant, mildly sweet side dish.
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Tomato Rice (Thakkali Sadam)
Cook chopped tomatoes with onions, green chilies, turmeric, and cumin. Add cooked rice and mix thoroughly. Serve warm as a tangy, flavorful main or side dish.
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Egg Fried Rice
Another classic street-style Indian dish that is not only easy to make but also packed with flavor and nostalgia. Get started by scrambling eggs in a pan and setting them aside. Stir-fry cooked rice with onions, garlic, and soy sauce, then fold in scrambled eggs. Garnish with green onions and serve hot.
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Palak Khichdi
Cook rice and lentils together with blanched spinach puree and mild spices. Simmer until soft and creamy. Serve with ghee or yogurt for a wholesome, nutritious meal.
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Curd Rice (Yogurt Rice)
Cook rice and allow it to cool slightly. Mix with plain yogurt, salt, and a tadka of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies. Serve chilled or warm as a light, soothing dish.
Roti & Bread
Is it even an Indian dish if it’s not served with roti or any other type of Indian flatbread? Yes, rotis are the staple in an Indian meal, but along with that, there are other types of flatbreads you can try. Below is a list of easy-to-make Indian rotis and flatbreads:
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Plain Chapati
Mix whole wheat flour with water and knead into a soft dough. Divide into small balls, roll them out evenly, and cook in a hot skillet until brown spots appear. Traditionally, this step takes time and effort, but with Rotimatic Next, you can skip kneading, rolling, and roasting altogether. In just minutes, it makes soft, fluffy chapatis that pair perfectly with dals, curries, and vegetables, giving you fresh homemade rotis at the touch of a button.
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Aloo Paratha
Mix mashed spiced potatoes with onions, green chilies, and coriander. Stuff into rolled dough and roll out gently. Cook in a skillet with ghee or oil until golden, and serve hot with yogurt or pickle.
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Gobi Paratha
Replace potatoes with cauliflower, and you get another easy-to-cook Indian paratha! Grate cauliflower and mix with mild spices. Stuff into rolled dough, roll out, and cook in a skillet with oil or ghee until golden brown. Serve hot with chutney, yogurt, or pickle.
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Methi Thepla
Mix fenugreek leaves into wheat flour with turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Roll into flatbreads and cook on a skillet until light golden. Serve hot or cold with pickles or yogurt.
Condiments & Sides
Condiments and sides are another important part of the Indian diet. Here are some you can try at home:
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Onion-Tomato Salad
Chop onions and tomatoes finely. Toss with salt, lemon juice, and coriander. Serve as a fresh, crunchy accompaniment to curries or rice dishes.
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Green Chutney
Blend fresh cilantro, mint, lemon juice, green chilies, and salt. Adjust consistency with water. Serve with snacks like samosas, tikki, or paneer dishes.
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Tamarind Chutney
Cook tamarind pulp with jaggery, chili powder, and salt until thick. Cool slightly before serving. Pairs perfectly with fried snacks and chaats.
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Aam Ka Achaar (Mango Pickle)
Cube raw mangoes and mix with mustard seeds, chili powder, and salt. Let it marinate in oil for a few days. Serve as a tangy, spicy accompaniment to meals.
Desserts
After savoring all those savory Indian recipes, no meal feels complete without something sweet. From traditional classics to festive favorites, these easy Indian food recipes for desserts are the perfect way to end on a high note.
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Kheer
Boil milk, add washed rice, and simmer until soft. Add sugar and cardamom, cook until creamy, then garnish with nuts and saffron.
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Sooji Halwa
This temple-style dessert requires semolina, ghee, sugar, and water. Roast semolina in ghee, add water(or milk) and sugar, cook until thick, and garnish with nuts. It takes about 20-25 minutes to prepare.
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Gajar ka Halwa
Grate carrots and cook with milk and sugar over low heat. Add ghee and cook until the mixture thickens. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve warm.
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Besan Ladoo
These golden, melt-in-your-mouth balls are made from roasted gram flour (besan), ghee, and sugar. Roast besan in ghee until aromatic, mix with sugar and cardamom, and form into balls while warm.
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Shrikhand/Matha
This Gujarati favorite is made by mixing thick yogurt with powdered sugar, cardamom, saffron and nuts(optional). Simply strain yogurt overnight, mix with sugar and flavorings - no cooking required.
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Coconut Ladoo with Condensed Milk
This instant sweet requires just three ingredients: desiccated coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and cardamom. Simply mix condensed milk with coconut, cook for 4-5 minutes until thick, add cardamom, and shape into balls. The entire process takes only 10 minutes.
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Puran Poli
Cook chana dal with jaggery to make a thick paste, flavor with cardamom. Stuff this filling into soft dough, roll out, and cook each side on a hot pan with ghee until golden.
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Gulab Jamun
Make a smooth dough from khoya or milk powder, flour or semolina (smooth rava), pinch of baking soda and a little milk. Shape balls, fry till golden, then soak in warm cardamom-flavored sugar syrup.
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Rasgulla
Knead freshly homemade paneer(cottage cheese) until soft, shape into balls, and simmer in boiling sugar water until they become spongy. Cool and serve chilled, soaked in syrup.
These 47 easy Indian recipes cover everything from everyday meals to special occasions, making it easier than ever to bring authentic Indian flavors into your home kitchen!